TMU recognized for leadership in sustainability in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

We are pleased to share that Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) was among the top 20% of universities ranked around the world for global leadership in advancing the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to this year’s Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (external link) .

A first-time participant in the rankings, the university was rated in the 201-300 range overall, and stood out most notably in the areas of:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality, with recognition of the university’s initiatives to encourage enrolment and success for women in STEM subjects
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, where the campus’ water management policies and Urban Water TMU’s research and community engagement landed TMU in the top 100 globally
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, where the Centre for Urban Energy’s research and partnerships with governments and industry received scores of 100% across a range of indicators
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, with TMU scoring particularly highly for the proportion of and supports for students and employees with disabilities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production for waste reduction efforts on campus
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, where the university scored highly on metrics related to internal governance and working with governments

Among its highest-ranking achievements, TMU came in 62nd of more than 1600 institutions in the only mandatory SDG category for the rankings, SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals. In SDG 17 the university received an excellent rating for both education and collaboration. Several initiatives involving students, staff and faculty contributed to the finding, including:

• Membership in the Launching Economic Achievement Program for Women in Jordan (external link)  consortium 
• Living Planet @ Campus partnership with WWF Canada
• Generation Climate (external link)  initiative
• City Building TMU’s events and partnership with CivicLabTO (external link) 
• The variety and scope of sustainability-related courses offered by the university 

This is a strong performance we can be proud of, and one that demonstrates the incredible work taking place across the university. We would like to thank our hardworking faculty, contract lecturers, students, staff and partners for their leadership and dedication. As a community, our shared value of equity and our commitment to innovation, sustainability and wellbeing are improving the future for all people and the planet.

University-wide engagement is crucial to ensuring TMU’s standing in the Times Higher Education rankings reflects the impact of our stewardship, outreach, teaching and research. To share an initiative your area is leading to advance the SDGs, email UPO@torontomu.ca.

You can also learn more about TMU’s sustainability initiatives in the university’s annual Sustainability Progress Report.

Sincerely,

Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, provost and vice-president, academic

Steven N. Liss, vice-president, research and innovation